There were two Kirk's in Spock's dream, one resembled the Kirk he had seen in the transporter, and the other was the one he had known for a year. They were sitting down in different chairs across from him. Logically this has to be a dream. They both had the same grin and they sat differently. Jim was sitting up straight. Kirk? Kirk was sitting inproperly, back slouched, and he looked otherwise fine. Too fine.
It was as if nothing had ever happened in the past year to Kirk.
Kirk looked over toward Jim.
"Can I tell him now?" Kirk asked.
"It is about time." Jim said.
Kirk turned his head in the direction of Spock.
"Spock, meet Admiral Jim," Kirk said. "He has been helping me . . . a lot."
"Admiral Jim?" Spock asked.
"I am his counterpart," Jim said. "And this is very real." Jim looked over toward Kirk. "In your dream, though," Kirk's grin had turned into a smile. "We are only carrying this conversation due to the sudden psychic link that has been forged earlier than expected. I am the Jim ingenious to Spock Prime."
"So you are Kirk Prime." Spock said.
"Yes." Jim said.
"How long did it take for your link to be made, Admiral?" Spock asked.
"Three years," Jim said. "You know. . . For being a Spock, the only recognizable feature is those brown eyes of yours."
"In short," Kirk said. "The Vians brought him into my head and he was briefly in control. Tell Bones I am fine. Don't have to worry about me."
Jim nodded.
"He is still alive because of my personal experience with being on the run from some alien government," Jim said. "Did that a lot with Spock on some of our missions on alien planets."
"And you never died in those instances?" Spock asked.
"There were many miracles our Scotty could pull." Jim asked.
"Admiral," Spock said. "Were you and McCoy my counterparts T'hy'lara's?"
Jim appeared to be disgusted.
"Are you kidding me?" Jim said. "A threesome? No." He shook his hand. "Bones is a straight man."
"Threesome," Kirk said, amused. "I never done that before."
Jim appeared to be horrified.
"Please don't picture what I think I am seeing." Jim said.
"You are seeing it." Kirk said, earning a shudder from his counterpart.
"Fascinating," Spock said. "Sharing the same mind."
"Look, Mr Spock," Jim said. "I only know of T'hy'lara because of a Vulcan mated to two men and my Mr Spock had to explain what it meant. I knew the variation T'hy'la by heart by then but hearing it was dumbfounding."
"I was able to record and change the perception of the event occurring that which,Doctor McCoy and I, were able to see," Spock said. "It took general editing and the usage of my our memories to make a clear coherent video. We have seen your current state, Jim, where else you will need medical attention." Kirk shifted up forwards in the chair. "You could have called us for help but you did not. McCoy and I were able to see your situation due to the same link we share with you. This did not apply to the captain as he had not been around you as long as we have. Logically, due to this profound link we are soulmates in this reality unlike the admirals." Jim shook his head lowering it down. "I have yet to explain what it means to share this link to Doctor McCoy."
Kirk clenched on the armest of the chair.
"What situation?" Kirk asked.
"Trapped with a Klingon and a Romulan in a dead end." Spock said.
"I better go," Jim said. "I have some tidying up in the house to do."
Jim snapped his fingers and he vanished in thin air.
Kirk stood up then walked over to the window that displayed a storm outside where thunder cackled outside.
"Why did you not call us?" Spock asked.
"How can I trust Star Fleet let alone where I am under a constant threat of assassination. Last night was no different for me." Kirk said, his voice low. "Why me?" He looked over to the side with his eyes lowered toward the floor. "I was just a nobody, not even that important to start off." Spock approached Kirk. Kirk turned his head away back toward the window. "I never wanted to be a moving target."
"Jim, you are someone." Spock said, by Kirk's side.
Kirk looked over toward Spock, his eyes had lost their bright shining hope and youthness to them.
"And I have heard your desire to not have been born," Spock went on. "If you were never born then Star Fleet would be eliminated, as would Earth, and Nero would have caused his own death at the end of his onslaught. The Enterprise would have been destroyed due to the red matter being used numerous times. The universe would end then it would restart, repeat, until the right event happens and you are born. I would have died that day in the fight against Nero and my counterpart would have died in the destruction of Delta Vega. Without you, Jim, there wouldn't be Star Fleet."
Kirk sighed.
"That is logical," Kirk said. "You know. . ." He looked over toward Spock. "My counterparts sometimes acts and talks like a Vulcan. It makes me wonder if that's in my future. Being with you." His eyes met Spock. "With my current state, I don't know how that would be possible." He turned his head away then turned away from the window and walked a good five feet away. "Physical body scars?" Kirk shifted toward Spock. "The ones you don't see. The ones under the sleeves. Can you stand to look at my scarred body?"
Spock walked over toward Kirk.
"Jim," Spock said. "You look no different than I how I last you: emotionally, physically, and mentally."
"I am not the same man!" Kirk said, shaking his hands.
Kirk shook his head as Spock took his shoulders.
"You are perfect just the way you are," Spock said. "No matter what happens, you are still the human who cheated the Kobyashi Maru and saved Star Fleet." He let go of Kirk's shoulders. "You are perfection, Jim, no matter what is done to you. You are human capable of making decisions that most humans dread. You are ideally capable of being a captain. Your katra will always remain the same. You are you. That's what I love most about you."
Kirk brought the Vulcan into a kiss.
Spock could feel the warm energetic spark of Jim's mind in the kiss. It occurred to Spock that Kirk was quite really in a dream, mentally, with the Vulcan. Spock's hands wrapped around the backside of the young man's and he joined in the kiss. Kirk could feel a flame, hot burning pleasent one that didn't feel as harmful from a actual flame. It felt complete for Spock. After all, this was a make out of the minds not in physical bodies where the feeling would be different. Spock's hands slid down. They stood there kissing for what seemed to be quite a long time.
Kirk broke the warm,pleasent kiss off with a sad smile.
Spock tilted his head raising a arched eyebrow.
"Was the kiss unsatisfactory?" Spock asked.
"No." Kirk said.
Spock straightened his head and lowered his eyebrow.
"Then what is it?" Spock asked.
"I was thinking . . ." Jim said.
"My father will be pleased if we continue this courtship," Spock said. "It is only logical to chose the one you care about deeply to grow old alongside."
Jim's hands came on Spock's chest (that was significantly colder than a humans chest but just about cool enough to sleep on).
"I was. . . I was. . . I was thinking how you won't remember this when you wake up," Kirk said. "Only I will."
Spock raised an eyebrow.
"How will you remember?" Spock asked.
"The other me told me: ones who travel through psychic links tend to remember," Kirk said, then Spock's eyebrow went down. Then Kirk had a heartfelt reply staring at Spock's eyes, "Thank you."
Spock looked down toward the human, even though he had no idea what he meant and he was processing what he was being thanked for.
It occurred to Spock that this was a illogical dream.
"You are welcome." Spock said.
Kirk sadly smiled.
"Wake up, Spock." Kirk said.
Then his surroundings changed into darkness and Kirk's face vanished. Spock processed the dream he had. Two Kirks sitting in two chairs. One of which from The Prime Universe. There was a certain bit of illogical to it. But it was logical in the way it was presented to him. Dreams are normally fragments of imagination and the memories that had happened prior. Spock could feel drawn down to his earthly body. He felt paralyzed in it at first. It occurred to Spock that he is undergoing sleep paralysis; one that normally occurs in mid-sleep when the viewer is in semi-consciousness. Spock experienced this numerous times in his childhood.
"Tell Bones I am fine."
Spock's eyes opened to the gray-blue med bay.
"Welcome back to the land of the living,Spock!" McCoy's voice came over from alongside. "We nearly lost you to the poison."
Spock looked over.
"And the captain?" Spock asked.
"He's lucky you used yourself as a shield." McCoy said.
"Doctor McCoy," Spock said. "I have been requested to tell you something very important."
"And what is that?" McCoy said.
"I am fine." Spock said.
"I know you are fine, you pointy eared hobglobin!" McCoy said.
"You are mistaken,Doctor McCoy," Spock said. "I am simply repeating what Jim told me."
"Are you saying you met Jim in your catatonic state?" McCoy asked.
"More so dreaming, but yes," Spock said. "I did." Spock watched the man's face go pale. "But he was very alive. He was using our link to communicate. He wants you not to worry about him so much."
"Well, I'll be," McCoy said, folding his arms. "He has ears all over the place."
Spock stared at McCoy.
"That is illogical as he is currently somewhere off unknown," Spock said. "May I return to my duties?"
"Unless you promise not to scare the hell out of me like that again." McCoy said.
"I cannot keep promises under things that are not under my control, Doctor McCoy." Spock said.
"Just promise me that." McCoy said.
Spock stared at McCoy.
"I promise." Spock said.
"You must tell us where Cadet James T. Kirk is." Admiral Chester said.
"If I tell you, will you kill him?" T'Vell said.
"No." Admiral Streeter said.
"I don't believe you." T'Vell said.
"Believe us when we say we are all for the cadet's safe return." Admiral Streeter said.
"I have known this terran for a month and he has gone through hell," T'Vell said. "He is safe, under-going surgery for his cataract left eye and his infected left ear." She pointed to the side of her head. "For the short period of time I have known this man . . . I will not betray his trust. He could have easily been a captain undercover."
"What did he do to earn your loyalty?" Admiral Chester asked.
"He saved my mate's life," T'Vell said. "And mine as well. He was helping us reacquire our starship."
"And did you?" The two Admiral's asked.
"Eventually, after we made it off the monster ship." T'Vell said.
"I have one question," Admiral Streeter said. "How the hell does he know Klingonese?"
"Swarol taught him," T'Vell said, her voice lowering. "When we met Kirk, he was vulnerable and didn't know rather to trust us. We have earned the trust that we have with him now. I am not breaking that trust."
"We will ensure Kirk does not get killed," Admiral Streeter said. "You have our word."
"If he were to return," T'Vell said. "He will be under OUR protection. You easily let someone die under your watch. He does not let in Star Fleet officers but only those he can trust right now. Trust is very crucial to the Terran." She shook her hand. "You may have guards at his door but the only place you have to worry is about the inside."
"I have a better idea," Admiral Streeter said. "To show you we are willing to protect the cadet."
T'Vell raised an eyebrow.
"Go on." T'Vell said.
There was a hooded figure walking down a hallway with a group of guards, at the head of them was Swarol who eyed them suspiciously. Strangely, Swarol lacked his mate T'Vell by his side. The figure had on a dark cloak and a dark hood with the head lowered. The stride was reminiscent of Kirk's current state: wary, cautious, and closed off. The head looked over, darkness overshadowing the face, gazing in the direction of the onlookers who did not get a good look of the face.
The guards came to a stop at the doors that parted ways and allowed in the occupant set in the middle of the crowd.
The crowd dispersed leaving two guards at the door.
The cloaked figure sat down into the chair within the room.
In a haze of gold appears a tall lanky holding a phaser who appeared to be somewhat disfigured due to some event in the past. The figure has large hands, pointy elbows, and unusual shapes on his skin. His ears were long and wide in the shape of bat ears coated in fur with smaller sets of eyes alongside his prominent eyes. He had a strange pair of boots on. This is the first agent from earlier who had been nerve pinched. The agent did not appear to be completely human at all.
"About time I do what I was supposed to do as requested by Admiral Marcus," The agent said. "Sorry kid, for the well being of the federation future, some lives have to be sacrificed. You should know that like your father."
The hood was pulled back to reveal Lieutenant Commander Security Officer George Tawnoplace, a African American male, staring right back at the agent with hurt and betrayal in his eyes.
"Blake?" George said. "Blake Kottlemeyer?" He stood up taking the phaser from the agent's hand. "You are under arrest for the pre-meditated murder of James T. Kirk." The two guards came in behind the agent. "Good god, you really let yourself go serving under the wrong Admiral."
The two guards placed stasis cuffs on his hands behind the agent's back.
"Right admiral," The agent said. "Wrong time."
"Get him out of my sight." George said, with a sneer.
The court martial was held in public, and live streamed. The charges up against Admiral Alexander Marcus were not mentioned in the news but only that it was 'the first time a Admiral was brought up for a Court-Martial in history'. They were keeping it tight on why he was going to Court Martial. They had him surveillance to ensure he did not make another arrangement at the attempt of murder on a specific individual. This individual was under protective custody.
The papparazi was there when the hooded figure was walking up the stairs closely guarded.
"Who are you?"
"Why are you wearing a hood?"
"Sir, Mam, what is the trial about?"
"What is the charges against Admiral Marcus?"
"What did Admiral Marcus do?"
"Sir, Mam, can you tell us who you are."
The reply was rather hoarse and male like, "No comment."
The crowd met up with another crowd, where it as it seemed two cloaked figures were exchanged seemingly but they were identical and had the same height, even the humans were unaware that there was a exchange. The other cloaked figure made it to the door followed by officers dressed formally. A female figure, halfly distorted and deformed, approached the cloaked figure holding a phaser in one hand. Her face covered in dark, twisted intent. It was the kind naturally seen on a killer in the 21st century before they went to do a criminal act. The phaser was set to kill. She raised the phaser up and pressed the trigger aiming at the heart.
She fired it two times, just for dramatic affect. This was the second agent. Gasps escaped from the crowd as the figure fell back landing into the arms of the ones behind. The hood was pushed back to reveal the face of a Romulan woman,who was T'Vell with a smile on her face. The second agent stared in horror seeing the red head in the place where there should have been a human male. There was shock carried in the paparazzi standing around the Romulan. First of all: why was there a Romulan attending a Court Martial? Second of all: Why was there a Romulan on Earth in the first place?
"Jolan tru." T'Vell said.
All the attention shifted to the second agent as the one holding T'Vell lowered her to the ground calling out for help.
"Freeze!" One of the security guards moved forward holding his phaser to stun.
"Hands in the air!" The second security officer said.
Needless to say this was being broadcasted to the Enterprise and every planet that fell under the federation category. On some planets this livestream was being pirated to those who were not in the Federation air space, because not every day was there a court martial over a admiral. Spock Prime, though, was indeed perplexed and fascinated by the airing as were other Vulcans. He could only wonder who was so important that they needed to have a double. A Romulan wasn't valued much as a Vulcan was in this reality. So either it was a Human, Vulcan, Androian, and so on.
"Fascinating." Spock Prime said, staring at the screen.
On the Enterprise, the screen was large enough and high definition that the littlest details stood out, namely to a certain Vulcan. The dream he had weeks ago had become all but forgotten as dreams are normally. The bridge crew could see everyone on the screen was where they should be seated. The admirals of four were at their seats. Marcus was at the defendant chair with his defense attorney beside him. The four admirals were waiting for their first eyewitness. The doors into the court room opened revealed a group of four officers, security officers really, surrounding the cloaked figure. They stepped aside allowing the figure to walk toward the chair.
Slow, well paced steps.
The figure did not look in the direction of Admiral Marcus.
The figure sat down into the chair, set across from the defense and prosecution table.
"Please take your hood off, cadet." Admiral Streeter requested.
The hood was pushed back to reveal Kirk, the left side of his face covered in scars that were still healing. He had a left eye that seemed to be prosthetic, the new kind, good and healthy but otherwise it appeared like an android's synthetic eye. Kirk had a metal brace of some kind wrapped around his neck right at the atoms apple location. His hand was made of metal, apparently, not skin and bone. There were gasps from the crowd from behind the two tables. Most importantly McCoy's jaw dropped (he was watching this from Med Bay) and his face became horrified. Kirk had gotten a hair cut, recently, showing he had a prosthetic left ear. He had a dark scar along the side of his face curling along his lips in the shape of a question mark.
Spock Prime, on his end, was very surprised.
It was illogical for Commander Spock to feel sympathy for the human.
Pike was disgusted, visibly, by what state.
The prosecution, Jack P. McCoy, stood up then came toward Kirk.
"Cadet, how did you meet Admiral Marcus?" Jack asked.
"I was approached by a man dressed in black," Kirk started. "And he gave me a card telling me that I was a ideal cadet for a certain mission that was a errand that would benefit Star Fleet. When I looked away from the card, the man had left. It wasn't until weeks later did I meet the admiral and talk it over."
"And what was this supposed errand?" Jack asked.
"To aid in the rescue of a missing star fleet captain who was out of Star Fleet space." Kirk replied.
"Did he mention who the captain was?" Jack asked,walking toward the stand.
"Richard Lee Boruto." Kirk said.
"And as we know, there is no Captain Boruto." Jack said.
"I was told he was captured prior to Nero's attack," Kirk said. "And they have been attempting to do rescue missions for awhile. Since I had a 'lucky streak', I was approached for the mission. They believed I would make a ideal candidate and do what they have been trying to do. I felt, though, a strange feeling about this mission. As though my life would never be the same after it. I was told he was on a vessel that mostly consisted of humans."
"And how did you find out that it was all a lie?" Jack asked.
Kirk took his prosthetic eye out placing it on the table and his prosthetic ear revealing a small hole that had been the entrance of a long blue tube. Gasps escaped from the crowd behind the tables. McCoy closed his eyes with a shudder. Spock Prime felt disturbed by the state that the young cadet was in. Over all the realities that had to happen, this fate had to befall the young cadet. Spock Prime felt thankful that this never happened to Jim. The universe had become harsh for Kirk unlike the kind and welcoming universe their friendship had been forged in. Unlike the universe his best friend grew up in.
It was illogical for Commander Spock to feel disgusted.
"When this happened." Kirk said.
"Specifically, what?" Jack asked.
"It was a Romulan ship," Kirk said. "It was . . . most of Nero's former crewmates."
Kirk placed his prosthetic left eye back into the socket and then he put his left ear back inside.
"Explain what else you went through." Jack said.
It was a long time ago that T'Vell and Swarol had met Kirk, but they did not forget how it happened. They were at a bar having drinks, hands wrapped around their cups, deep in discussion on how to retrieve their prized ship. Swarol looked over, in the middle of the conversation, to see a brown hooded figure coming into the bar. Swarol could see the figure had on a hood. The figure dodged a drunken Deltan who fell over landing straight on their back. The hooded figure came over to the counter then placed a couple federation credits.
"I would like some scotch, heavy scotch." Came Kirk's order.
The voice was hoarse, alarming to the Klingon, and very distinctive.
The Bartender took the credits off the counter then went over to the cup.
"Heavy scotch will knock you down." Swarol said.
The Bartender slid the cup on the table into the hands of Kirk where Swarol could see the left arm was covered in burns, radiation probably but maybe not, and looked as though it had been the unfortunate victim of skin eating bacteria. Swarol's eyes landed on the figure that did not respond. There were grunts and drunken singing going on in the bar. The slurring in the room made it sound like people from another side of planet Earth were here.
"Are you listening to a word I am saying,Swarol?" T'Vell asked.
Kirk downed the small glass then put it down, trembling, lowering his head clenching at the side most likely in pain.
"Swarol?" T'Vell asked.
A droplet of blood landed on the counter.
"One moment, my mate," Swarol said, turning the man in his direction. "What is wrong with you?" The man's face was jaw dropping familiar. The man who saved Earth and the federation, the man who had defeated Nero with a endangered race. "Captain Kirk?" He noticed the left ear was bleeding. His left eye appeared to be bruised. A ring of bruises was around his neck. "What in the name of Kahless happened to you?"
"Get your hands off me, Klingon." Kirk snatched Swarol's hand off his shoulder.
T'Vell leaned over.
"What the hell is up with his voice?" T'Vell said.
"Nothing," Kirk turned away. "Another shot, please."
Swarol's eyes narrowed in the direction of Kirk then he put one hand over the cup preventing the bartender from taking it.
"You just down a heavy drink, Terran," Swarol said. "And you should be laid on your ass right about now. So, as it seems, you are in need of help."
Kirk's eyes winced, briefly.
"You have a vocal problem." T'Vell duly noted.
"I agree," Swarol said. "You need a doctor."
Kirk stood up.
"I do not need a doctor," Kirk said, standing up. "And I certainly do not trust you."
"You are going to die without medical attention." T'Vell said
"I rather die than trust a Klingon and a Romulan." Kirk said, then he went out of the bar.
The Bartender looked over toward Swarol.
"Are you going to go after him?" The Bartender asked.
"Hell yes." Swarol said, breaking the cup into pieces.
T'Vell took out a handful of credits then handed it to the bartender.
"It is on us." T'Vell said, as her mate went after the man.
Kirk was pinned against the wall by Swarol who lowered the hood down to see two pairs of eyes that seemed to be very stressed,and he saw a little stick like item sticking out of the left ear. T'Vell came over, they shared a glance, then Swarol nodded toward her. T'Vell delicately placed her fingers around the long metal rod as Swarol kept Kirk in place. They started to the count of three.
Kirk screamed once it was out and he fell down to his knees.
"Now, you owe us." T'Vell said.
Kirk looked up covering his left ear.
"Are you deaf?" Swarol asked, kneeling down to Kirk.
Kirk closed his eyes, hearing sounds that were not there.
"He has lost hearing," T'Vell said. She looked over toward Swarol. "What is his most well known catchphrase?"
"He does not believe in no-win scenarios." Swarol said.
T'Vell lifted the man up against the wall with her head turned in the man's direction.
"We are in need of some help retrieving a ship of ours," T'Vell slowly said. "And we know a medical expert to take care of the injuries you have received and we can give you the help we can." She stroked the side of his face noticing there were bruise marks alongside his cheeks. "An ice bag would do for your black eye, Captain Kirk."
Kirk's eyes opened and he shoved T'Vell back staggering forward glaring at her.
"I am not a captain!" Kirk said.
"Sure you are." T'Vell said.
"I don't have a ship nor a crew," Kirk said. "I am a cadet." He snaked alongside the wall, cautiously, doing his best to walk away from them. He was both afraid and wary. "People are out to kill me. You don't want to be around me."
Swarol and T'Vell raised their eyebrows in unison.
"Oh really?" T'Vell said. "I have plenty of people who want my head."
Swarol's hand wrapped around her side.
"And mine too," Swarol said. "We are not phased by someone who has a bounty on them."
"I can't even help you." Kirk said.
Swarol's hand unwrapped around T'Vell's side.
"Yes, you can. You are Captain Kirk!" T'Vell said.
"My utmost apologies," Swarol said, grabbing T'Vell by the shoulder taking her to the side. "We have been traveling . . . a lot. News like this comes very slow." He stepped forward. "I am a reformed Klingon, as for my mate, she is a reformed Romulan. We are not interested in creating hostilities, we only seek the only kind of help you can offer."
"And what is that?" Kirk asked.
"Your skills in negotiating the return of a ship is legendary." T'Vell said.
"If you call escaping from Klingon cells negotiating, you are mad!" Kirk said. "How can I trust you two with my life?"
Swarol frowned.
"You are alive right now," Swarol said. "Are you not?"
Kirk paused, for a minute.
"I am alive." Kirk said.
"Unlike most Klingons, you are more valuable alive than dead," Swarol said. "And once our business is over, we will go our separate ways."
Kirk held out his right hand.
"Then it is a deal." Kirk said.
"And you need a new arm." Swarol noted.
Kirk had a smile.
"I'll get that taken care of later." Kirk said.
Swarol, instead, cut his hand with his dagger then took Kirk's left hand then made a cut in the middle. He knew if they left him on the loose: Kirk would never get that replacement arm. Kirk had already lost his left arm but losing his right hand? No, he wouldn't want to lose that. Surprisingly a little blood came out in the middle of the palm. Swarol put the dagger away then he shook the left hand of Kirk making the two exchange blood.
"I promise my blood you will get that arm taken care of." Swarol said.
With a brain that miraculously survived being sizzled five times, and his left eye having difficulty seeing, Kirk could see there was a genuine promising look on the Klingon's face. Kirk could register that this was a odd situation. The Romulan, however, seemed to be in a state of shock. It occurred to Kirk that he had been given a blood pact. Which is quite rare from a Klingon as they hardly ever do that. They never ever did it with a human, probably because of their differences. He could not feel pain from his left hand, not at all.